Paul Hollywood to open his first Knead bakery store in 2017

'Great British Bake Off' judge Paul Hollywood is poised to open a bakery chain, according to a report

'Great British Bake Off' judge Paul Hollywood is poised to open a bakery in London.

The 50-year-old TV star, who has reportedly doubled his salary by sticking with the former BBC One programme when it moves to Channel 4 next year, could be set to further increase his earnings in 2017 after he struck a deal with a firm to open a bakery.

Paul, who co-judged the baking on the popular show with Mary Berry, has now teamed up with the SSP Group, which runs outlets in airports and rail stations across the country, to create a bakery chain called Knead, according to The Times newspaper.

In an annual report for SSP, group boss Kate Swann said: "We continue to work with high profile chefs across the globe and have secured an agreement with Paul Hollywood to open a new bakery concept in the UK rail business during 2017."

Paul is expected to design pastries for Knead in a bid to help the chain grow.

Meanwhile, it was recently revealed that 'The Great British Bake Off' will have a Christmas special on the BBC before it moves across to Channel 4 next year.

Bosses at the BBC, which has screened the programme since 2010, are planning to give the programme the send off it deserves by creating one last 'The Great Christmas Bake Off'.

The special episode will feature a selection of bakers from previous series, although it is not yet known which of the presenting team will appear on the programme.